Socata TBM-700 C2 N48UM accident near Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

Probable cause

The pilot’s decision to continue an unstable approach, which resulted in a runway excursion.

NTSB analysis

The pilot stated his visual approach to landing was “uncomfortably fast.” The airplane crossed over the threshold about 30 to 40 knots above the approach speed recommended in the Pilot’s Information Manual (PIM). He applied brakes, but the runway was wet and slick. Unable to stop on the remaining runway, the pilot attempted to abort the landing by moving the throttle from beta to full, but the throttle “stuck.” The airplane subsequently overran the runway and came to rest about 325 ft past the end of the runway. The engine mounts and left wing sustained substantial damage.

Examination of the airplane revealed all engine and flight controls were intact from the cockpit controls to their respective control surfaces and functioned normally. In addition, examination of the brakes revealed no anomalies. The throttle lever had no binding and operated smoothly through its full range of motion. The flaps were found in the takeoff position, not in the landing position as they should have been for landing.

Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

According to the PIM, when configured correctly and using the recommended approach speed of 80 knots, the landing distance on a wet runway would have been about 2,700 ft of the 3,700 ft available.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA21LA316 for the full record.